Karma is a Business

chapter 3

Episode 3

"I need to get all the informations I can get, Caroline. I don't have much time." Ellie paced in the living room as she spoke. She was together with Caroline who sat one of the sofas, a soda can in her hands.

"Are you really going to let him divorce you? I thought you loved him." Caroline chipped in.

Ellie stopped pacing, and turned to look at her. "Well, I guess that love grew lonely and impatient," her voice cracked as she spoke, and her eyes moistened immediately, "you will not be able to imagine how much I longed for my own husband, how ridiculous he made me feel the few times we stepped out together.

"Do you know how I felt seeing him desire you even after you left the country? His parents are no good as well. His mother made me feel like an intruder, Nathan detested my touch. He only made love whenever he was tipsy or needed to release some stress." The tears fell now. It streamed down Ellie's cheeks with no shame and hesitance.

"Oh my God," Caroline dropped the drink she was holding, and covered her lips on oth both hands before getting up from where she sat, "it must have been very hard for you."

Ellie gazed at her, and shook her head, "I didn't ask you to come back into his life to pity me, Caroline. We've never really been close friends, but I don't have much of a choice. You're the only one who can get thos done."

Caroline breathed, and nodded. "Okay," she looked at Ellie with a firm expression on her face, and continued, "I never loved Nathan McGregor. Yes, I enjoyed the attention he showered on me at college and I stayed around for the money. But then, I got something huge that took me out of the county although it didn't really work out. I appreciate what you offered me, and that's why I'm here. I will see to it that that bastard deserves whatever he gets."

Ellie continued pacing, folding her arms. "First of all, I need the list of everything under his assets. I have no penny to my name right now because he's always kept me put of his fortune and he never allowed me pursue my dreams. He cut me off from gaining access to money. I had to ask him for the things I need, and he would merely send one of the workers.

"But I don't want to live like that anymore. I need something huge I can get my hands on before the divorce takes place." Ellie paused, thinking for a while. She placed her hands on her belly, and sighed deeply.

"Are you really going to get rid of it?" Caroline asked after a while.

"I should, right? I can barely take care of myself."

"Well, I think I should be on my way. We don't want him barging here and seeing us chitchatting." Caroline voiced out as she picked up her bag, and headed for the door.

"When do I get the list?" Ellie qiueried.

"Soon," Caroline replied, and just when she pulled the door opened, the attorney, Prescott Rivera appeared on the doorway.

"Oh, hello handsome!" Caroline beamed at the young man.

"Hi," Prescott greeted back, and walked past her into the house.

"The lawyer." Ellie answered Caroline's inquisitive glare.

"Oh, see you then." Coraline chuckled, and scurried out of the house.

"Please, sit," Ellie said to Prescott who smiled slightly at her. He placed his suitcase beside him as he sat down, and settled his gaze on her.

"What...would you line to drink? Coffee? Juice? A smoothie...?"

"Sit down, Ellie." Prescott interrupted softly, and ran his calm eyes over her. He adjusted his black designer tie, rubbed his thumb over his well shaped bears. "I got your message last night."

Ellie nodded, and let out a single shaky breath. "I don't know what that discussion was all about, but I just wanted you to know. If anything happens to me, don't hesitate to hold Nathan responsible."

"Nathan would never hurt you." Prescott muttered softly, and shook his head.

Ellie looked at him, and chuckled softly. "No, Prescott. You don't know what I've had to go through in the hands of Nathan McGregor."

"I might not be well informed, but one thing is for certain. He would never do anything that would put you in danger. He should be on his way by now, and the divorce will be finalized. Are you really sure you want to do this?"

Ellie pressed her lips together, and slowly, she lifted her gaze at Prescott with a firm resolution obvious in their depth. "I've never been so sure, Prescott. I'm done being the weak woman I've always been. I want to know how it feels like to be in the spotlight."

"Very well," Prescott reached out for his suitcase, turned it open, and pulled out an office file. As soon as he placed it on the table, the door clicked open, and Nathan walked in.

"Hold on, Prescott," he ordered, walking into the living room. He tossed his car key on the nearest cushion, and turned to look at the attorney, "Take those papers away."

"What papers?" Prescott wondered.

Nathan glared at him, his eyes burning with impatience. "The divorce papers of course! Take it away!" He fired hotly.

"Wooow, take it easy, man." Prescott defended.

"What are you doing?" Ellie queried, getting up on her feet.

"And what does it look I'm doing? I'm putting an end to this bullshit. I wanted a divorce, but not anymore. I'm pretty sure you had go crazy before the signing is over." Nathan mocked, turning to look fully at his wife.

Ellie took a few steps back, and shook her head. "Don't be so full of yourself, Nathan. Let's get on with this."

"What?" Nathan thundered, totally dumbfounded by Ellie's words. Dud she just say she wanted the divorce? Is this a dream?

"Are you... kidding me?" He laughed.

Ellie smiled with one certain nod of her head. "No, I'm not, Nathan. Let's get divorced."

Unable to hide his shock, Nathan's lips parted in total awe. He thought he was the mater here, he thought she'd dropped on her knees and appreciate him for deciding to take her back.

What's this arrogance all about? He stared at her for another minute, waiting for the twist. But nothing. Ellie stood adamantly, waiting for him as well.

Nathan cleared his throat, and slid a look at Prescott who was still waiting all along. "Well, let's... let's get it over with." He stuttered, and with calculated steps, he walked towards the attorney, and sat close to him.

"Alright..." Prescott drawled, and pulled out one of his pen, "the paper work is done, all we need are your signatures..."

"I will go first," Ellie interrupted, walking close to the papers on the table.

Nathan stared at her, completely smitten by the sudden change of event. He'd never expected that Ellie would want to go on with the divorce despite his change of heart.

"Before you sign that," he suddenly spoke as soon as Ellie picked up the pen, "you're not leaving with a dim. Not even a penny will be added to your f*****g name. You are leaving with absolutely nothing. Everything you ever owed during the course of our marriage shall be taken from you." The words rolled out evilly from his tongue, and with the defiant look in his eyes, anyone in that room could tell he was damn serious.

But Ellie looked even more determined. Her eyes sparked with excitement, her fingers trembled around the pen. With a smile that seemed too satisfying to be real, Ellie brought down the pen over the paper, and scribbled her signature on it.